Edwin Lee papers, 10 March 1858-23 November 1861, 7 April 1910

MLMSS 9491

fonds

10 March 1858-23 November 1861, 7 April 1910

Textual Records, Ephemera, Photographs

1128305

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box)

Edwin Lee emigrated from England to Australia with his wife Mary and daughters, departing for Sydney on the Electra in May 1858. Edwin was first employed in Sydney as a confectioner then later as a postmaster and school master in Watson's Bay. The family moved from South Head in Sydney after Edwin Lee obtained higher qualifications as a teacher employed by the Model National School and then was transferred to Purfleet, Manning River. Edwin died on the 14th November 1860 by drowning. His wife Mary later moved to Sydney with the three daughters, Kitty, Peggy and Alice where she was looking to rent a property in Sydney to establish a school.

The letters describe the Lee family's voyage on the Electra in May 1858 and their life in early Sydney with descriptions of George St., the buildings, the people and employment situation and mentions a well known resident `Ricketty Dick' in his letter to Polly, 8 May 1859. Edwin Lee also describes his early employment as a confectioner then later as a postmaster and school master in Watson's Bay. They also mention their moving and resettlement in Purfleet in the Colony of New South Wales. A poignant letter is written by Edwin Lee's wife Mary to her sister informing her of Edwin's death in November 1860 as a result of a boating accident in which their daughter Kitty was saved.

The letters were mainly written to his niece, Mary-Ann (Polly) Lee and several to his sister-in-law Sarah Lee. Edwin's brother Richard was also in the bakery trade which Mary Ann took over running at a young age due to her father becoming too ill to manage.

FOLDER 1
Letters from Mary Lee to her sister, 15 Nov [1860]-23 November 1861

FOLDER 2
Letters from Mary Lee to to Mary Ann (Polly) Lee, 11 August-12 February 1861

FOLDER 3
Letters from Edwin Lee to Mary Ann (Polly), 14 May 1858-7 November 1860

FOLDER 4
Letters from Edwin Lee to Sarah Lee, 12 May [1858]-23 January 1859

FOLDER 5
Letter of condolence from Mr W. Wilkins (National Education Office, Sydney) to Mary Lee, 23 November 1860
Sam Bradbury to Edwin Lee, 10 March 1858

FOLDER 6
Ephemera and photograph
Includes two bookmarks made by Edwin Lee's children made as a gift to Mary Ann Lee and Jane Lee, mentioned in a letter to Polly , 11 June 1860; Photograph of the Glynde Hotel, Adelaide; Flyer advertising `Edwin Lee, Cook and Confectioner, Leicester Square' enclosed with a piece of cotton, the words on the back of the flyer `Australian cotton open it carefully else it will fly away'; Memorial card for Mary Ann Turner (nee Lee) 7th April 1910; Copy of family tree written by Gillian Robertson

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Author has been deceased for more than 50 years
Copyright holder:: State Library of New South Wales
Rights and Restrictions Information:: No publication without prior written approval of copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Copy of transcriptions typed by Gillian Robertson available with the letters